New Delhi: The Land and Development Office in Delhi has ordered demolition of several houses in the Khyber Pass area of Civil Lines, in Delhi. Bulldozers started demolishing all illegal buildings in the area.
Announcement made prior to demolition drive
The demolition drive started after an announcement to this effect was made by the Land and Development Office. The occupants of these illegal buildings had also been served notices regarding the demolition, said officials.
Reports said that these people had been living in these buildings for the past 70 to 80 years. But the Land and Development officials said that they had already stuck notices on the doors of these houses. They claimed that they have orders to demolish the buildings.
People protest demolition drive
Meanwhile the residents of the area are protesting against this demolition drive being carried out by the government. They claimed that they had been staying here for the past 70 to 80 years and asked why they were being removed from the place so suddenly.
The people whose houses were demolished were seen crying and pleading with the officials to stop. The residents claimed that once there was a mill at this place whose lease ended. Following this they were given houses to stay here. We are paying water bills, electricity bills, taxes and suddenly now the order to demolish our houses has been issued, cried the people. The residents were forced to sit on the roads with their belongings.